Keeping up with stuff

Having a house cleaner has been a true Godsend!  I realized today that hiring her was basically equivalent to making a commitment to pick up all the piles & tidy the surfaces once a week.  That is not bad accountability!

People with chronic illness often speak of the spoon theory (read more about that here).  Having a housecleaner means that the energy I do have can be used on things that a housecleaner cannot do, namely managing the stuff!! 

And having a housecleaner means that the clean surfaces motivate me to dig deeper in the hidden areas.  

Today in less than an hour I organized my jewelry drawer and asthma meds.  I wasn't purging my jewelry drawer so much as making it usable again and taking out the random things I had stuffed in there that don't belong there. 

I also went through my box of nebulizer medicine, realized it had all expired, threw it out, and called the nurse for a refill.  Same with my Epi-pen & Auvi-Q collection. Why?!?  

At any rate, all of that to say that when I do have energy, I can use little pockets of time to do small jobs that 1 - get things out of our house that are no longer usable or needed and 2 - make our home more usable for us. 

1000 Gifts, Vol. 6, #69

681.  We are continuing to have a BEAUTIFUL fall!  Every day is absolutely gorgeous!  The colors are spectacular!

682.  We have had a few slower weeks.

683.  The blessing of hand-me-downs and garage sales (& time & energy to go through them for the current season).

684.  Being able to pass on clothes to friends.

685.  Bags & boxes (and boxes & bags) donated to a local ministry that has a thrift store. 

686.  Inching toward the finish line of harvest!!

687.  Time & energy to decorate our mantle for fall

688.  Unseasonably warm weather = extra hours outside for energetic children

689.  Medical care, specialists, an amazing rheumatology nurse, insurance, a new home nurse, hope, etc.

690.  Almost a year of enjoying our family room (& fresh vision to be able to enjoy the basement also).

(Family room progress - here, here, and here.)

Hiking Must-haves

We started hiking in 2020, and discovered our family LOVES to hike!  During 2020, a friend often posted photos on Facebook of her family's hikes, and that was definitely inspiring!  Along the way I discovered several FB groups, some that highlight local spots and some that encourage challenges, such as the 52 hikes in a year or 1000 hours outside.  

Over time, I have accumulated our hiking must-haves, so we're able to go at a moment's notice.  The hardest part has been making sure all four of us have a change of clothes (& shoes) if we go hiking Sunday afternoons on our way home from church.

First is my daypack. I have Eddie Bauer's 20 L Stowaway. It is often on sale for $15. As the name says, it stows away into a tiny pouch.  It's lightweight, holds two water bottles on the outside, and has two zipper pockets on the outside.  My color isn't available currently, but it comes in several colors!

 

Instant Cold Packs for Injuries  - I feel like every mom needs these in her diaper bag!  I remember one time at speech therapy in our church nursery LG needed an ice pack and there were none.  (I think the nursery now keeps some in the little dorm fridge there.)  But wouldn't this be great to have at the park?!  Definitely a must-have when hiking.

First Aid kit - At first I just grabbed a few items out of our first aid kit in the van, but now I have a set in my daypack.  It's constantly evolving, and in the summer definitely includes bug spray.

hat - I cannot even count how many photos I have in which I'm wearing this hat!  At the beach, hiking, etc. 

hiking poles - These were a game-changer!  And allowed us to resume hiking after I got sick. 

granola bars (unlimited!)

water bottles

Suds2Go refillable caps -  Add some foaming soap to the cap, screw it onto a water bottle, and voila! You have a soap dispenser & water dispenser to wash your hands in the wild!  (It's almost impossible to keep the lid on in your backpack as you hike, so if that's important to you, you may prefer to purchase the Suds2Go bottle. 

All Trails app or paper map if available

Of course, I also throw in the van fob, ID &/or money, my inhaler & Epipen. 

And the most important thing you'll need is an adventuresome spirit!

What do you take when you go hiking?

Fall Cleaning Spree

I had a slow week (read: few appointments).  The week before that, I had gone through all the hand-me-downs with which we are blessed.  Next week is FULL of appointments.  During my slow week, I enjoyed bringing order out of the chaos that is our home, and went through so many piles that just accumulate and take on a life of their own.  

We're 9 weeks into the school year, and I hadn't initiated a system for the papers from teachers.  Now I have. :) 

One day I went through the children's books - two tall bookcases and one 9-cube unit.  I filled a huge shopping bag of books for the thrift store, and I took all library books back to the drop box.  I moved the books LM isn't interested in to the bookshelf in LG's room.  And now there is actually space on each shelf/cube!

My van is full of hand-me-downs to pass on (3 boxes) and 4 bags for the thrift store. It feels so good! LG helped by getting up on the step ladder and replacing two smoke alarms and four recessed lights.  In order to get to the step ladder in the basement, I had to empty a bookcase, so that was good motivation!  And helped in the goal of cleaning out the basement!

 

Marathon Day

Do you have a Marathon Day?  We sure do!   It's more of a Marathon 24-hours, as it stretches from Wednesday to Thursday. 

5.45 PM - 8.40-ish Wednesday we are at Awana (6.30-8), 25 miles from home.

Thursday morning I go 25 miles to ladies' Bible study at church, and run any errands I have in town.  Some days I make it home just in time to go straight to car line.  Only to ... head right back to town.

Thursday after school we head straight to the nearest city (20 miles away) for Little Miss's 3.30-4.30 speech therapy.  This involves a crowded university campus, an elevator, bathroom stops pre- and post-, and a debriefing with the student therapist & supervising professor. 

Thankfully, as of last week, Little Guy's swim lessons were moved to Thursday at 5 PM.  This helps with gas, etc., and frees up another afternoon, but it's a marathon!

And that's why we go to town three times in 24 hours. :)

Calendar Audit

I'm trying to find a school day morning to get together with a few friends to watch a video course.  One would think that would be easy. I'm a SAHM, right? Well, one of the others works two days a week (actually more, but she has some flexibility except two days a week).  

My weekdays in October:

standing date with a friend on Friday mornings for mental health,

two Thursdays - weekly Bible study at church,

one Thursday - home infusion (miss Bible study due to nurse's schedule),

one Thursday - colonoscopy (miss Bible study; rescheduled from when we were in TN),

rheumatologist appointment (x2) - one in-person locally & one video visit with Chicago doctor,

one day off school, and

2.5 hour service appointment for the van.

That is 12 of the 21 weekdays in October ... and doesn't include afternoon appointments - 3 dental appointments, 2 parent-teacher conferences, every-6-months injections at the infusion center, lunch with a friend, Moms in Prayer (zoom), Japan prayer meeting (zoom), speech therapy, Awana, swim lessons, and Trail Life ... plus basic living & homemaking, and (for Jim) a hefty chunk of harvest!

We have accomplished some pretty big projects so far in October ... sorting through all hand-me-downs, changing out children's wardrobes, cleaning a certain child's room, dozens of thank you notes, at least 3 wonderful hikes, some fun play dates, plus lots of communication with extra-curriculars and teachers and therapists.  

So, when will my friends and I watch the video course?  Hopefully some Monday or Wednesday in November, if we plan now ...  :) 

Pairing preferred & nonpreferred activities

First ... then ... is a way to help young children see that they will get their preferred activity after they complete their nonpreferred activity.  

I realized last week that I have implemented that in my medical life. :) 

First I get my monthly labwork, then I stop by the scone shop for a gluten-free scone. 

First I see my rheumatologist in the city, and then I get lunch at Chicken Salad Chick.

First I get my IV in my arm for my 4-hour infusion, and then I can eat the breakfast I just picked up at Chick-fil-A. 

:) 

What are your "First ... then ..." activities?

Slowing Down

School started ... with all my goals now that LM is in all-day kindergarten.  

Then we took a trip for Labor Day.  

Then our children had Covid.  

And I spent a week with my heart and mind in Tennessee, as my dad neared the end of his life.  

Then we spent a week in Tennessee.  

Then I was recovering. 

And spending extra time making up missed appointments. 

And we also had multiple Mondays off school. 

I spent one school day making a photo book for my mom of my dad's last months. 

I spent another school day working on funeral food thank you notes. 

And then one of our extra-curriculars changed from Monday afternoons to Thursday afternoons.

But, finally, I think I'm slowing down and figuring out my rhythm. 

I'm scheduling grocery pickup either on Monday evenings or Thursday noon.  I've given up on the idea of browsing in grocery stores.  (I enjoyed it for a few weeks, but we'll leave that for another year when I'm more rested.)  

I'm trying to keep Tuesdays open.  I'm trying not to schedule anything on Early Release Wednesdays. 

I've noticed that Wednesday 5.45 - Thursday 6.30 is a MARATHON! 

I try to get my rest on Friday, so I can go, GO, GOOO!!! on the weekend in our efforts to use up a certain 8 & 5 year olds' energy. ;)

One thing is certain ~ our schedule will continue to change, and I still have 3 appointments monthly plus a slew of less frequent appointments.  But, it's good to be getting into a rhythm and having more of a feel for what this year looks like for our family.

Memories

As I sat at my desk yesterday morning, the next song started playing on the Abiding Radio app. 

 

And my mind, body, and emotions reacted.  Until last month, this song only brought back memories of every baptism I ever witnessed in Japan. But now it brings back memories of my father's funeral. 

99.9% of the time that I have sat in my childhood church for a worship service, I have sat on the left side.  But two times that I remember I have sat in the front on the right. For my grandfather's funeral, and for my father's funeral.   

The congregation sang two hymns at my father's funeral - I'd Rather Have Jesus than Silver or Gold and Victory in Jesus.  The congregational singing was loud, joyful, victorious, and harmonious! 

Dad's dying wish was for 11 of his great-nephews & one great-neice to sing "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."  Living all over the country & being at the start of their careers or education, and not being an event they could plan in advance, I find it amazing that five of them were able to be there and honor their great-uncle by worshiping in song their Lord and his.  

What songs do you want sung at your funeral?

Birthdays

So far, we celebrate birthdays with a special meal & cake & ice cream with the extended family. End of story.  

But both children have been to friends' birthday parties at a destination (bowling alley, ninja park, zoo, gymnastics place, etc.). And so they are asking ... 

My mom gave us a friend party for our 10th & 16th birthdays.  The other years, we had a formal dinner with family friends & 80-90 year old relatives.  A friend with three girls let one of them have a friend party each year.  

What do you do? What did your parents do? 

Both of our children have winter birthdays, and since we can't order snow storms, it would have to be an indoor party ... or a half-birthday party in the summer.  I'm not a fan of a destination party, but I am a fan of saving my energy!  

How to limit the number? LG has been to parties where all the boys in his class were invited.  LM went to a party where both kindergarten classes were invited + a few other friends. It was massive! "All the boys in his class" is a lot more manageable, and easier than saying, "Pick 3 friends." 

And gifts.  Wow!  Do we really need more gifts? I keep trying to plant seeds of gifts for donating (e.g., everyone brings warm socks to donate to the city mission or one of the party activities is making "blessing bags" to give to homeless people).  We went to one party where the child was inundated with 20-30 gifts (each $20 or so).  One of our children was invited to a party that said "no gifts please," which we obeyed, but apparently others brought gifts such as candy.  

I remember the year that I received a box of kleenex and a tube of lip gloss for my birthday.  (There may have been other gifts, but those are the ones I remember.)

Which destination? Small-town bowling alley with pizza brought in? Ninja park in big city? Swim party (assumes they all can swim)? Gymnastics place? We saw a birthday party at the pumpkin patch!  That would be perfect for an autumn birthday. :)  Neither of our children are into crafts yet, but apparently Michael's does parties.  

I'm really more of a home birthday party, but there would have to be a really clear plan, and winter makes it harder.  

And then there is the cake. Sigh! I have made a Lego cake, Olaf pull-apart cupcake cake, unicorn cake, digger cake, a Buzz Lightyear cake, & our nieces made an elaborate combine cake.  I've also made a 9x13 cake with sprinkles and a number candle.  Woo-hoo!  2022's birthday cake decorating caused a pretty big flare of my autoimmune disease, so I'm looking for simple ... or purchased!  Or ... LG & LM might learn to decorate their own cakes. :) 

Stay tuned to find out how we answer the birthday party question! :)

Stay at home Saturday

Even though it's a GORGEOUS fall day, and even though it's a 3-day weekend, we have stayed home today.  

After a haircut & two baths last night, everyone slept in today!

I packed a field meal. 

I sorted my desk & paid the bills.  

I ordered the two new books in the Good News for Little Hearts series.

I prepared roasted vegetables before the potatoes went bad.  

I have washed umpteen loads of laundry (I skipped laundry this week apparently *and* we found a lot when we cleaned rooms last weekend.) ;)  

I have continued sorting all (& I do mean ALL) of Little Guy's clothes.  There were 3 totes in his closet of "future sizes" from garage sales & hand-me-downs. I have taken 2 or 3 bags to a friend who was looking for pants in a specific size and who also was interested in some winter jackets and snow pants.  I have a box and two big bags in the van ready to give another friend tomorrow.  

I switched out summer clothes from his dresser.  

And ... we changed strategies.  Pajamas are now in a small tote in his closet.  And we put a laundry hamper in his closet also.  When one grabs a pair of pjs, one's dirty clothes can go right into the hamper.  Or maybe that's just wishful thinking. ;)

Both children have tried on winter jackets.  One would think a child only needs one winter jacket, but I try to have three ... one for good, one for the farm, and one just in case. (Last year, LM tore the zipper off one of hers.  I appreciated having an extra on hand at little to no cost, thanks to garage sales & hand-me-downs, versus buying one at full price at the last minute.)

If the children do their chores, we may go to a park, make banana bread, or have a bowl of ice cream. :) 

Hopefully we will also make progress on the weekly Kindergarten homework and Awana handbooks. 

What are you doing on this lovely Saturday?

1000 Gifts, Vol. 6, #68

671.  We are having a BEAUTIFUL fall!  Every day is gorgeous!

672.  5.5 hours at a pumpkin patch (aka outdoor play zone) one Saturday afternoon

673.  a Sunday afternoon in the woods on our hardest & longest family hike yet

674.  the navigate feature in the AllTrails app :)

675.  spending time with friends in our favorite wooded hilly spot on a Monday off school

676.  another Saturday at the pumpkin patch with one of LG's classmates and his mom and brother

677.  a Sunday afternoon in a natural playscape in the woods

678.  a new babysitter who is kind & firm (& lives close to us)

679.  laughing and praying with our small group

680.  online grocery pickup!